Rodent control strategies for the conservation of the Papangue, public health, and the environment
The RatEX project is part of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Réunion Harrier (2022–2031), a critically endangered species on Réunion Island that is severely threatened by the widespread use of rodenticides. The project investigates the role of introduced rodents, at the intersection of conservation biology and public health.
This 36-month project aims to assess the effectiveness of rodent population control, as rodents are responsible for agricultural damage, the transmission of zoonotic diseases, and negative impacts on endemic species, all while minimizing the risk of poisoning the Réunion Harrier. The study relies on both retrospective analysis of already collected rodent samples and new sampling campaigns to measure rodenticide exposure and the presence of genetic resistance. The results will cross-reference rodent exposure data with rodenticide import records to identify the areas and periods of highest risk for the harrier.
At the same time, public health concerns, particularly related to leptospirosis and murine typhus, will be studied, since rodent control also aims to reduce zoonotic risk. A portion of the budget, specifically dedicated to these public health objectives, is funded by the Regional Health Agency of the Indian Ocean.
Ultimately, the project seeks to lay the foundation for an integrated rodent population control protocol on the island, proposing sustainable control strategies, alternatives to chemical treatments, and recommendations for a future integrated control plan.
